WASHINGTON — The average price paid for white pan bread rose in August while whole wheat bread plummeted, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor.

The national average retail price of white pan bread was 137.2c, up 1.2c per lb from July but down 0.3c from August 2009. It was only the second time the average price has exceeded 137c per lb in 2010. On a month-to-month basis, the average price for white pan bread rose in three regions — up 4.4c in the South, up 1.1c in the West and up 0.7c in the Northeast — and fell in one region — down 1.9c in the Midwest.

At 168.1c per lb, the national average price for whole wheat bread was down 7.4c per lb from July and down 15.4c per lb from August 2009. The retail price has now fallen 14c per lb in the past four months. At 168.1c per lb, the average price of whole wheat bread was at its lowest level since April 2007, when it was 163.7c.

The national average price of family flour in August was 48.9c per lb, up 0.5c from July but down 2.8c from August 2009.

The national average price for spaghetti and macaroni in August was 111.8c per lb, up 1.5c from July but down 10.8c from August 2009. Chocolate chip cookies were 323c per lb, up 5.7c from July but down 0.5c from August 2009.